Realism
1840s-1880s
Realism sought to depict subjects truthfully, without artificiality, focusing on ordinary people and everyday scenes rather than idealized or romanticized subjects.
Historical Context
Realism emerged in France after the 1848 Revolution, as artists rejected Romanticism and academic art. They sought to depict contemporary life truthfully, often focusing on working-class subjects and social issues.
Key Characteristics
- •Accurate depiction of contemporary life
- •Focus on ordinary people and working class
- •Rejection of idealization and romanticism
- •Emphasis on social issues and everyday scenes
- •Naturalistic representation
Notable Realism Artists
Hogarth, William
1697–1764
Eakins, Thomas
1844–1916
Courbet, Gustave
1819–1877
Fantin-Latour, Henri
1836–1904
Remington, Frederic
1861–1909
Bonheur, Rosa
1822–1899
Stevens, Alfred
1823–1906
Falguière, Jean Alexandre Joseph
1831–1900
Marcke de Lummen, Emile van
1827–1890
Boughton, George Henry
1833–1905
Chintreuil, Antoine
1814–1873
Millet, Jean-François
1814–1875
Realism Artworks
Weaning the Calves
Rosa Bonheur
A Limier Briquet Hound
Rosa Bonheur
The Horse Fair
Rosa Bonheur
The Weeders
Jules Breton
A Peasant Girl Knitting
Jules Breton
River and Rocks
Gustave Courbet
The Hidden Brook
Gustave Courbet
Marine: The Waterspout
Gustave Courbet
The Calm Sea
Gustave Courbet
The Woman in the Waves
Gustave Courbet
A Brook in the Forest
Gustave Courbet
Woman with a Parrot
Gustave Courbet
The Young Bather
Gustave Courbet
The Sea
Gustave Courbet
The Fishing Boat
Gustave Courbet
Jo, La Belle Irlandaise
Gustave Courbet
The Source of the Loue
Gustave Courbet
Nude with Flowering Branch
Gustave Courbet
A Brook in a Clearing (possibly "Brook, Valley of Fontcouverte; Study")
Gustave Courbet
The Source
Gustave Courbet
Monsieur Suisse
Gustave Courbet
The Deer
Gustave Courbet
Madame Frederic Breyer (Fanny Hélène Van Bruyssel, 1830–1894)
Gustave Courbet
Hunting Dogs with Dead Hare
Gustave Courbet